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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Who is BU re: use of showers at work

83 replies

MegEmski · 01/08/2017 13:12

Sorry, very boring!

Is Person A unreasonable or Person B?

Person A viewpoint:
I got back from my bike ride and went up to the work showers. I put my stuff down / hung my towel up etc. then had to pop back to my desk for something. Whilst I was there someone asked me something so it was 5 - 10 minutes before I got back to the showers. When I got there, someone had gone in with all my stuff in there so I had to wait until they finished. When they got out, I pointed out all my stuff was there and had a little bit of a (polite) moan. They said "oh sorry, I waited 5 minutes but I thought you were still out exercising and had just left your bits here after getting changed". Surely it's obvious I had just popped away and the shower room was 'in use'?

Person B viewpoint:
I got back from my run and went to the work shower. Someone's bag / towel was in there but I wasn't sure where they were. I waited for 5 minutes or so in case they came back. Most of us get changed and leave our bags at reception but I know occasionally some people leave them in the shower room so I presumed they were out running or whatever. We are a big-ish office (2 floors) so I couldn't go round asking & the other shower was full. I used the shower and was pretty quick, but when I got out the person was waiting. I apologised and explained but they were a bit stroppy. Surely you don't leave your stuff and walk off if you want to use the shower?

First world problems I know!

OP posts:
Mummyoflittledragon · 01/08/2017 13:38

If you were A you'd probably not write this because you'd be so self righteous that's you'd know you are in the right and B is obviously in the wrong.

Do I win the thread Wink

Original poster
MegEmski · 01/08/2017 13:40

I'm feeling very vindicated!

:D

@mummyoflittledragon you can win....a mcvities gold bar? I have a drawer full

OP posts:
NotMyPenguin · 01/08/2017 13:43

Person B is in the right.

But I just want to say, OP, what a very fairly written scenario you've created! I honestly read both and thought they sounded like they could be a reasonable perspective... :-)

diddl · 01/08/2017 13:44

I agree with all others that Awbu.

Surely people are always pretty quick using the anyway?

jay55 · 01/08/2017 13:48

A was doubly unreasonable for complaining and for going to their desk when all sweaty and smelly and possibly in cycling gear.

okeydokeygirl · 01/08/2017 13:53

Person A was unreasonable and should have put their stuff outside the shower when they went off. Person B was in the right. It is a bit like people who get up early on holiday and go and put their towel on a sunbed then go and have breakfast. If you are not there to use it then let someone have the chance.

Fauchelevent · 01/08/2017 13:54

I couldn't tell ! Glad you're B

AlessandroVasectomi · 01/08/2017 13:56

I think A was in the right in the same way that it's perfectly reasonable to reserve poolside sun loungers by spreading a towel on them while taking a leisurely breakfast.

balsamicbarbara · 01/08/2017 13:56

I don't think either party is being unreasonable per se but I don't think person A has much room to moan. Accidents happen.

shoeaddict83 · 01/08/2017 14:00

Person B completely. You cant 'reserve' a shower if you arent there.
This drives me mad at our gym. Huge communal changing room with only 2 cubicles if you want privacy, but selfish fuckers dump their bags in the cubicles BEFORE going off for a ten minute shower ,so non-one else can use them in the meantime, when we'd bein and out in the time it takes them to shower.

Its selfish and tough shit if person A got called away, they go to the back of the queue then.

Spudlet · 01/08/2017 14:03

Persons A and B should both think themselves lucky to have a work shower, we never got one at my old workplace despite several people commuting by bike, an office full of keen runners and lots of people asking for years. I used to have to ha a wash in the bathroom sink after cycling which is bad in many levels. Am Envy of your shower access.

Also, person A was being an eejit.

MikeUniformMike · 01/08/2017 14:05

When I read it I thought person A might not come back for ages so Person B might have been hanging around all sweaty. I think B, if A's stuff was all in a bag, might have left them outside, but there wasn't any room.

B was in the right. I think if there is a limited number of showers, people should be quite quick in there.

If you have a really horrible shampoo or shower gel, leave it in the shower. It will soon go and someone will probably be quite vocal about how shit it is.

simon50 · 01/08/2017 14:06

So how long is someone to wait outside an empty shower (at least 10+min?) then wait again while the first person returns to claim and use the shower first.
Sorry I would jump straight in.."who dares wins, Rodders".

jellyshoeswithdiamonds · 01/08/2017 14:12

This happened to me when camping, someone (he happened to be German) "reserved" a shower by placing it over the door.

I waited, worked out that shower was empty, waited a bit more then removed towel, showered.

When I got out he was stood outside foot tapping, glaring at me. I told him "you can't reserve a shower" smiled and walked off.

Original poster
MegEmski · 01/08/2017 14:15

@spudlet first workplace where I have had one as well, it's amazing, and made a huge difference to my running training because I can fit it in on lunch

I'm enjoying how many people have replied - clearly touched a nerve re: shower hogging (see also, beach towel / sunbed)

OP posts:
maggiecate · 01/08/2017 14:15

If person A hadn't left their stuff and caused you to hang about you could have been in and out before they were even back!

chemenger · 01/08/2017 14:18

I have a German friend who was given a beach towel with "Reserved" printed on it, which she finds hilarious. She lives in the US and all her american friends are baffled by it.

gingergenius · 01/08/2017 14:21

Person A is BU.

Billben · 01/08/2017 14:21

People like person A irritate the hell out of me. And since I don't have much of a patience with entitled people, person A would have gotten a mouthful if they dared to moan.

Changebagsandgladrags · 01/08/2017 14:28

Person A - Next time just have a shower instead of fannying around.

BritInUS1 · 01/08/2017 14:30

Person B is right x

paxillin · 01/08/2017 14:34

I bet Person A reserves sun loungers with a towel at 7 am.

nina2b · 01/08/2017 14:36

B

NKFell · 01/08/2017 14:43

Glad you're person B OP and that was very well written!

Tinty · 01/08/2017 14:56

You were definitely reasonable to use the shower after waiting a while for person A. You were definitely UNREASONABLE for mentioning a drawer full of McVities Gold Bars! because I now want one and there is nothing in my office cupboard. I just checked and even wishing for one didn't make one appear [grin}

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